Circuit connecter



Nov. l5,` 1929.

Fig. l.

K' UL.: /Z 'I umn 5 l l l l G. H.' TOVEYA GIRCUIT vGQNNECTER Filed May 18, 1925 lnvntor-/z George To\//e1,

His ttorneg.

Patented Nov..b 5A, 1929 Y 4UNITE-D STATES PATENT ,OFFICE GEORGE H. TOV'E'YHQOF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB T0 GENERAL ELECTRIC v i COMPANY, A. CORPORATION OF NEW YORK v Y CIRCUIT CONNECTER Application med Hay 18,

My invention relates to electrical apparatus wherein a terminal member or connection 1s carried through and supported by a wall which may be, for example, the cover of an oil switch tank or the like. An object of my invention is to provide an improved apparatus of this character which shall be simple in construction, effective in use and inexpensive to manufacture.

My invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope Ywill be pointed out in the appended claims.

Figure 1 shows in partial section an oil switch and terminal, illustrating one embdi- `ment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the terminal alone, and Fig. 3 is a detail of the same.

For the purpose of illustration I have shown my invention as forming a part of an oil circuit breaker or switch comprising the movable ,contact or bridging member 1, the operating rod 2 therefor and the stationary 25 contact member 3. The contacts are immersed in oil contained inthe tank 4 provided with the cover 5. Through suitable openings in the cover extend the two terminal members 6 by means of which external circuit connec- 30 tions are made with the stationary switch contacts 3. Each terminal member 6 comprises a tube 7 of conducting material, preferably copper, whose ends 8 and 9 are flattened to'form flat contact faces. The switch Contact 3 is shown secured by .screws 10 to the lower contact face 9 and the connecter 11 is shown secured by the bolt 12 to the up er contact face 8. For the greater part of its ength, the tube is covered with insulation 14 which may be molded or wrap ed on the tube or ma simply be formed in tu es, cut to length an slipped on the conducting tube. l

For securing the terminal firmly to the cover 5and in a position -to bring the contact 2 at the proper height, I have provided a clamping member 15 which may be 1n two parts but preferably in one piece as illustrated. This member has a flange portion 16 cover 5 and a sleeve portion' 17 whichtightly which is bolted or otherwise secured to the ,4

1925. Serial N0. 30,935.

clamps the .insulated portion of the tube. I, preferably make the clamping member 15 of a size that it may be slipped over the tube and the insulation to the proper position and-then by the suitable application of pressure contract the sleeve portion` 17 until a permanent deformation is formed in both the insulation and the walls. of the tube. By this means the terminal member may be firmly secured to the cover of the switch tank without the use of additional insulation and in a position to bring the stationary contact member at the proper height for engagementwith the movable contact member of the Switch. v

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

y 1. In combination, a supporting member, a terminal member comprising a conducting tube extending through saidl supporting member, insulation surrounding and engaging the tube, and means for securing said terminal member to said supporting member comprising a ring surrounding the insulation on the tube and contracted to deform both the tube and the insulation thereon.

2. A terminal member comprising a conducting tube having its ends flattenedl to form contact faces, insulation itting an intermediate portion thereof, said tube and insulation having corresponding deformations and a securing member for the tube comprising a rin surrounding the insulated ortion thereo [said ring engaging in the de Ormations il the insulation and the tube.

3. In combination, an electric switch having an enclosing casing, a terminal for said `switch comprising a tube 'of conducting material extending through a wall of the casing, a yielding insulating sleeve surrounding and engaging the tube, and a member for securing the tube to the easing comprising a flange por# tion arranged to be fixed to the casing wall and a sleeve portion, said conducting 'tube 1 and insulating sleeve having therein corresponding 'annular depressions and the sleeve` portion of said/.securing member firmly engaging in said depressions.

An electric switch having an enclosing cas1ng, a c1rcuit terminal extending through the casing comprising a conductor tube having an insulating' tube thereon, and means for securing the tube to the casing comprising a.' member having a sleeve portion surrounding and contracted to deform the conducting'tube and the insulating tube at corresponding points thereof and a Bange portion attached to the casing.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 16th day of Ma 1925.

GEOR E H. TOVEY. 

